Can I repair a dent in a metal exterior door?
 

With our spackling work on wood trim turning out so pretty, we have to ask, can we do something about a dent on the outside of a door? Wood core, metal exterior door, small dent.

I guess I'm thinking of how we see dents in cars repaired and painted over, looking all brand new when they're done.

Any advice besides take it to the body shop?

It's actually a simple procedure. If you can spackle, then you can do such a repair:

Sand the metal down to bare surface.

Purchase Bondo, mix-as-directed, fill dent, sand.

Repeat procedure if needed.

Prime and Paint = Done!

Spackling is addictive!
 

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions yet again!

I have to try the door dent repair! It's okay if this project takes us till October...it's fun making old-looking surfaces look fresh and smooth again!

Somebody really should've warned me that this is addictive.

Today I cleaned & primed 1 basement window today...my first window ever. But I couldn't possibly ignore those little nicks & dents on the window frame, now that I am equipped to fix 'em! Felt like an artist by the time it was finally ready for primer! Tried to get as "right" as possible. Looks great, with not even a speck of paint on the glass. Perfect edges. It's pretty smooth now, with just the primer on it. Can't wait to see if it passes the white gloss paint test, or if it needs more work!

Essentially you do what they'd do
The Bondo product and process Atlantic described

If your metal door has fake grain, fixing that might be interesting... maybe a Dremel and a very light touch after the Bondo dries?

SirWired

No fake grain, fortunately! But thanks for the Dremel suggestion, in case that situation ever comes up. Maybe this is the kind of stuff they should have let us do in art class!